Desperation vs. Trepidation

My husband, Rick, and I had planned a trip down to our daughter’s house this week. We were going to visit her and her family; Rick was going to take our 16-year-old grandson, Tyler, out to play golf and then to a Boys-Night-Out dinner. We were going to visit Rick’s 93-year-old father, and I was going to have lunch with my former employer. It was going to be a great visit, and we were going to leave on Wednesday.

Sunday I started getting sick, and by Tuesday night I knew I couldn’t make the trip. Rick wanted to cancel completely, but I insisted he go by himself. We had planned to drive our Scion, which gets great gas mileage, instead of our Excursion, which gets terrible mileage. After much discussion, Rick agreed to go on the trip alone, but he was going to leave the Scion for me and take the Excursion.

The reason for the vehicle switch is because I have never driven the Excursion. Never. It is too long. It is too wide. The thought of driving it just scares me. Rick didn’t want to leave me with a vehicle that I couldn’t drive, but I said… “Really, look at me… do you think I’m going anywhere?” We talked about any possible “emergencies,” and I said IF one came up, I’m sure I could “woman-up” and drive the Excursion…. if I absolutely, positively HAD to. Take the Scion, I told him. It will save us a lot of money in gasoline costs.

So on Wednesday morning, Rick left on his trip in the Scion and I crawled into bed to rest. By that afternoon, I knew I was getting worse instead of better. I had to make a doctor’s appointment…. I couldn’t wait until Rick got home on Friday. That meant I would HAVE to drive the Excursion.

I dragged myself out of bed, got dressed, and (in the rain, no less!!) drove it the 1/2 mile to our mailbox. Surprisingly, I did just fine. So I called my doctor and made an appointment for the next afternoon.

I’m so glad I did. I have an ear infection, Strep throat, and a nasty cold. I left with medicine that will help me feel better. Soon, I hope!

But as I was arriving home, I couldn’t help but stop for a second and capture this image at the top of our driveway. You see how the hood of the car is pointing toward the left? The driveway takes a sharp turn there to the right. So it’s a blind spot for me. I couldn’t see over the hood, and just hoped I turned far enough right to stay on the road and not topple down the hill.

I’m pretty proud of myself! But again, I was desperate… and desperation beats trepidation any day.

Sorry to hear you’ve been so sick. I hope you’re well soon. Your driveway would scare me, too. Yikes! Can you have a mirror or camera installed in/on your car that would let you see how well you’re doing making that turn?

Hi Gail, I am starting to feel better, finally! We have big mirrors on the sides of the truck, but they don’t help in that particular spot. I just know if I turn right, I’ll be okay.. as long as I don’t smash into the tree by turning too hard! LOL!

OMG, Karen. I have nightmares about driving a car over a really steep hilltop where you can not see the road because of the steep drop-off. You are my hero! And with an ear infection! Hope you are on the road to recovery. : – )

Thanks, Paula! I know that quote… can’t “quote” it, but I “know” it. 🙂 I’m starting to feel better, and yes.. now I don’t have to be afraid to drive the Excursion anymore. That it itself, might have been worth this sickness!

Seems like this horrible hacking cough and congestion is going around here in New York, too. At an onset of a cold, which doesn’t happen very often, I take Zicam Every three hours and BAM … I beat it! (Thumbs up!). Hubby must’ve been torn leaving you behind knowing you were too sick to travel. With me? I prefer to be alone. I can rest without worrying about cooking, etc. Just rest and drink hot tea with lemon! Love reading your stories! You are so REAL …thank you for sharing!

Oh, I am a total Zicam advocate. It really does work!!! I started taking that when I wasn’t sure what was going on with me, but when the sore throat got so much worse, I knew I was dealing with more than a cold this time. I’m with you. Even if someone is home when I’m sick, I’m more likely to want to be left alone… except when I want something delivered to me to eat or drink. 🙂 Thanks for your sweet note. I appreciate it.